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So you’re taking up lock picking? Welcome! First up, you’re going to need some practice locks. Keep in mind it’s definitely not a good idea to practice on locks around the house, and PickPals recommends never using an active lock for practice. These can break the bank if you end up breaking the lock, and you’re still new and inexperienced at this, remember?

When learning the art of lock picking, practice locks are just as important as a set of quality lock picks. At PickPals we have a huge range of practice locks for beginners through to advanced. The most common practice locks are:

  1. Clear Locks
  2. Cutaway Locks
  3. Progressive Locks

So which locks are ideal for beginners? Good question.

Clear plastic locks are a standard keyway set in an acrylic plastic mould. Not only do these locks look pretty cool, the clear practice locks allow you develop an understanding of how the locking mechanism works when manipulating the locks.

Advantages of clear plastic locks

  • Very clear view of locking mechanism and moving parts
  • Great for absolute beginners
  • Come as a standard lock or a padlock form

Available in standard, spool and serrated pins

Cutaway locks are a standard lock, often cast in brass with a cutaway window so once again the pins can be seen as they are manipulated when picking.

Advantages of cutaway locks

  • Visually understand how pins work
  • Match feedback to feel – especially with the security pins
  • Mix of standard and security pins
  • Locks can be re-pinned

Available in standard, spool and serrated pins

We also sell locks referred to a progressive system. The progressive system usually comes as a set of locks, with an incremental the pins start at 2. The Sparrows Progressive Locks can also be re-pinned to make them harder/easier so they will last a long time and provide great value. The progressive locks are a great idea for those who want to practice without windows, much as you would experience in real life. This allows you to develop feedback and a real feel of the pins.

Advantage of progressive locks

  • The progressives are great and you can create a thousand combinations
  • Stronger and more realistic feedback
  • No cheating, learn to lock pick via feel
  • As you progress you can increase difficulty
  • All standard pin (can be re-pinned to security pins)
  • Locks can be re-pinned

The Ultimate Bundle is a set we put together and includes a few more items. It is like our Night School on steroids. You could buy the Night School and the Reload Kit which lets you pull the locks apart and re-pin, but at that point, we’d steer you toward the Ultimate Bundle.

Honestly, here at PickPals we are huge fans of the Night School for beginners. It contains almost everything you’ll ever need in terms of picks, and once you master those locks you can modify them and then move onto other locks. These locks are actually the same too, and you can re pin the other locks in the same progressive system. The Night School can be added to later, while The Ultimate Bundle as explained above will keep you going for a very long time.

And what about buying locks from the hardware store?

We’re often asked if buying locks from a hardware store is good for practicing lock picking. Firstly, these locks can be very expensive to buy and while you may be able to pick them, they do not act as a training tool. Cheap locks from hardware stores are usually made in such a way that they are very easy to pick, but give you no understanding of actually how to pick a lock – and that’s what you’re here to learn, right?

High security locks that are harder to pick may be a good idea for your lock picking progression, however, due to the high quality and technology, you can also expect higher prices. Our recommendation would be to use locks you have lying around the house already that are not in use. Another option is to get involved with a Lock Picking Association and trade some locks with your new friends.

In short, all of our practice locks are great starters, and are designed as a learning aid.

Practice locks can range in the number of pins they contain (more pins = higher level of difficulty), standard, or security pins. The most common security pins are practice locks, which are perfect for refining your lock-picking skills. With many practice locks re-pinnable, if they are damaged you can rebuild the locks.

There are different practice locks for different purposes, and everyone has their own preferences. Over your lock picking career, you’ll amass a collection of locks; some you will find easy and others you’ll probably want to throw out the window!

So welcome to the world of lock picking, pal – let’s get picking!

  • Clear Practice padlock
    . PICKPALS

    Clear Practice Padlock

    $ 45.00
  • . SPARROWS

    Progressive Locks

    Original price was: $ 119.00.Current price is: $ 99.00.
  • . SPARROWS

    Reload Kit

    Original price was: $ 49.00.Current price is: $ 40.00.
  • . PICKPALS

    Clear Practice Lock

    Original price was: $ 45.00.Current price is: $ 39.00.
  • . SPARROWS

    Cutaway Practice Lock – Standard Pin

    Original price was: $ 59.00.Current price is: $ 39.00.
  • . SPARROWS

    The Revolver Cylinder Practice Lock

    Original price was: $ 89.99.Current price is: $ 69.00.
  • Progressive Bundle Reloaded
    . PICKPALS

    Progressive Bundle Reloaded

    Original price was: $ 184.00.Current price is: $ 129.00.
  • . SPARROWS

    Cutaway Practice lock – Spool pins

    Original price was: $ 59.00.Current price is: $ 49.00.
  • . SPARROWS

    Cutaway Practice Lock – Check Pins

    Original price was: $ 59.00.Current price is: $ 49.00.
  • . SPARROWS

    Clear Practice Lock – Spool Pins

    Original price was: $ 45.00.Current price is: $ 39.00.
  • . SOUTHORD®

    High Quality Padlock Shims

    $ 49.00
  • . SPARROWS

    Cutaway Practice Lock – Serrated Pins

    Original price was: $ 59.00.Current price is: $ 49.00.
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